Generation Y students' purchase behaviour towards organic foods in South Africa

Objective - The primary objective of this study is to identify and explain the antecedents of organic food purchase behaviour of Generation Y students in the South African context. This study aimed to shed some light on Generation Ystudents' health consciousness, perceived behaviour control, convenience, attitudes, purchase intentions, and actual buying behaviourtoward organic food products. The study also attempted to determine the underlying strengths and relationships between the constructs used in the measurement scale. Lastly, gender relationships were investigated to determine if any differences existed between males and females in terms of their organic food product purchases. Methodology/Technique - This research study employed a descriptive, non-probability, convenience sampling design. The intended target population was full-time registered undergraduate Generation Y students aged between 18 and 24 years. The sample size was 200 students based across the four faculties within the chosen higher education institution, namely the Faculty of Management Sciences, the Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Faculty of Human Sciences. The 200 self-administered questionnaires were distributed during recess times as to not to disrupt any learning time. The questionnaire contained a cover letter explaining the purpose of the study and that participation in the study was completely voluntary. Findings - The measurement scale displayed adequate reliability and validity for all constructs. Furthermore, all constructs had statistically significant positive means, indicating that Generation Y students are health-conscious, care for the opinions of friends and family, display pro-organic attitudes, intentions, and behaviour. Results from this study indicate that there is a need for food organizations to consider implementing organic-based products in their product offerings within the South African market. Novelty - Investigation oforganic food product purchase behaviouramong South African Generation Y students (Consumer behaviour). Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords: Organic Foods; Purchase Behaviour; Generation Y, South Africa. JEL Classification: M31, M39.

VUCA: A Bibliometric Analysis of published literatures using R

Objective - This study presents a bibliometric analysis on the publications of VUCA research from Scopus database for an unspecified period. However, it has been determined that VUCA only emerges in Scopus publications starting from 2012. Methodology/Technique - A Bibliometric analysis using R-Studio software was performed using the Scopus database as atMarch 2021.Based on keywords used, which is related to VUCA in the article title, the study retrieved 108 documents and after one document was excludeddue to relevancy issues, only 107 documents were further analyse usingvarious tools. Findings - Emerging concerns such as leadership and management in COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 could be interesting study topics to pursue in the coming years. Overall, due to the scarcity of publications on this topic, the prospects to publish in this area are plentiful.This topic's publication has only emerged since 2012. Novelty - The publication trend has been on the rise since 2019 and is projected to continue if the COVID-19 pandemic is considered one of the most pressing challenges in the VUCA field of study. This provided future researchers with many opportunities to publish in SCOPUS on a recent VUCA topic. Issues of leadership and management in the new COVID-19 Pandemic standards could be a fascinating subject to explore in terms of publication possibilities. Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords: VUCA; Volatility; Uncertainty; Complexity; Ambiguity; Bibliometric; R; Management JEL Classification: M10, M14

Impact of Leaser's Emotional Intelligence on Turnover Intention: a Mediation role of Organization Commitment

Objective - The study is aimed to examine the relationships between a leader's emotional intelligence (as perceived by nursing staff), organizational commitment, and turnover intention through empirical investigation across the service sector. Methodology/Technique - A total of 433 employees working in the healthcare sector were approached through probability sampling. A questionnaire-based survey was employed to conduct the responses. Two-stage approaches were applied using structural equation modelling. In the first stage, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied. Findings - The study tests the direct linkages between independent and dependent variables, and in the second-stage path, coefficients were examined. Third, affective and normative commitments were positively and significantly associated with nursing staff turnover intention; but study found no relation of continuance commitment with nursing staff turnover intention. Fourth, the study found that a leader's emotional intelligence (as perceived by nursing staff) was positively associated with organizational commitment, but negatively associated with turnover intention. The current study also confirmed the mediating role of organizational commitment between a leader's emotional intelligence and nursing staff turnover intention. Novelty - The study has practical and theoretical implications for HR managers to reduce employees' turnover intention. Limitations are also discussed. The study elucidates the importance of perceived organizational learning culture in enhancing job satisfaction, organization commitment and reducing turnover intention. Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords: Emotional intelligence, Organizational Commitments, Turnover Intention, Pakistani Healthcare Sector. JEL Classification: M00, M1, M12.

The Effect of Brand Page Commitment, Brand Awareness, Electronic Word Of Mouth and Brand Image on Purchase Intention of Xiaomi Smartphone on Social Media

Objective - Brand Xiaomi launched its first smartphone in 2011 and in 2019, Xiaomi become the 4th largest smartphone manufacturer in the world. This extraordinary achievement has brought questions about how their product is marketed and promoted and how consumers are persuaded to buy their products. This study aims to analyze factors that influence consumers purchase intentions in relation to Xiaomi smartphones. The context of the analysis in this study is social media platform, namely Xiaomi official fan page in Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in Indonesia. Methodology/Technique - A survey method is conducted and the respondents were chosen using non-probability sampling with convenience technique. Data wasanalyzed using Structure Equation Model (SEM) with smart PLS (Partial Least Square) software version. Findings - The results show that Brand Page Commitment, Brand Awareness, Electronic WOM, and Brand Image have a significant positive influence on purchase intention for Xiaomi smartphones.Brand Page Commitment of Xiaomi social media has an impact on eWOM, brand image and also consumer purchase intention. Creative content isneeded to keep customers engaged and committed to the Xiaomi social media platforms, such as photo competitions with Xiaomi cameras. Social media allows consumers to post user-generated content (such as online comments, product reviews), thus allow consumers spread the word-of mouth about the product digitally. Novelty - Social media also allowscompanies to have conversations with consumers responding to those who reach out to Xiaomi Brand page through commenting or messaging. Through their Brand Page, a company can execute social media strategies and, if done correctly, it will increase Xiaomi brand image and sales. Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords: Brand Page Commitment; Brand Awareness; Electronic WOM; Brand Image; Purchase Intention JEL Classification: M30, M39.

Gender Differences in the Perception of Selected Aspectsof Social Media as Part of Ecommerce Activities during a Pandemic

Objective - In the current time of pandemic crisis, social media is one of the most effective tools for ecommerce to keep in touch with customers. One of the most affected segments worldwide is undoubtedly the tourist segment. Our goal was to examine the perception of selected aspects of social media in the light of gender differences during a pandemic in the tourist segment, when these can convince or discourage the customer to buy. Methodology/Technique - Data collection took place from the beginning of 2021 and lasted 3 months. It was an online questionnaire and focused on customers of travel agencies. A total of 723 valid responses were collected. These were analyzed for statistical significance of gender differences using SPSS software. Findings - The results identified significant differences in perceptions between men and women in some of the areas examined. The best forms of content that work best on these platforms have been identified. Attitudes towards communication through social media for marketing purposes were also identified. These were perceived positively in order to support purchasing decisions. We also identified a great need for personalization in communication via social media in a given tourist segment. Novelty - All findings show great implication potential for both theory and practice. The pandemic situation has changed market conditions and many of these changes will persist beyond. There is therefore a need to examine these contexts in the future. Managers in the tourism segment are able to incorporate the identified results into the way they manage their online activities and manage their social media. Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords: Social Media; Ecommerce; Tourism; Pandemic; Differences; Analysis. JEL Classification: M31, M39.

Consumer Purchase Intention for Organic Personal Care Product

Objective - This research aims to identify the factors that influence generation Y's purchase intentions for organic personal care products. Methodology/Technique - There are eight variables investigated in this research that might influence the generation Y's purchase intention on organic personal care product. The eight variables includeattitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and 5 demographic characteristics including gender, age, income level, education level and race. The research is completed with the questionnaire used for data collection purposes. A total of 155 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents, with 152 returned with completed data. The target respondent of this research is generation Y users. The data collected is keyed into Statistical Package of the Social Science (SPSS) for analysis. Among the tests incorporated in this study are reliability test, normality test, frequency test, t-test, ANOVA and Multiple Linear Regression. Findings - The study reveals that attitude and subjective norms from the planned behavioural model have a significant relationship with consumer purchase intentions for organic personal care products. Novelty - In addition, the study also found that there is a significant difference of consumer purchase intention of organic personal care product based on gender, age, income level and education level. Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords: Purchase Intention; Organic Product; Organic Personal Care Product; Green Environment. JEL Classification: M30, M39.

A Systematic Review on Leadership Styles in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Objective - The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic review of the leadership style practiced by leaders in small and medium-sized enterprises. Methodology/Technique - Following the protocol guidance known as the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flowchart, a total of six articles were reviewed and analysed after meeting inclusion criteria and being deemed relevant to the goals of this paper. Findings - The results of the study suggested that the leadership styles of leaders in the context of small and medium enterprises are based on the following elements: 1) the background of an organization; 2) the characteristics of the leader; 3) the relationship between leader and followers; and 4) the position of the followers. Novelty - This paper contributes to the knowledge on leadership style in general, specifically in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises. Type of Paper - Review. Keywords: Leader; leadership style; PRISMA; small and medium-sized enterprises; systematic literature review. JEL Classification: L20, L29.

The Determinant of Positive eWOM Intention: Perspective Social Media Users

Objective - The rapid development of information technology brings a significant change in society. The presence of social media makes a shift in people's behavior. From various circles and almost everyone owns and uses social media as a means to obtain and convey information to the public. The purpose of this research is to test and analyst the factors that affect positive eWOM intention on social media. Methodology/Technique - The sample used in this study were 225 respondents using purposive sampling method. The sample used in this study are customers who have social media, access social media for the last 6 (six) months and make online purchases on these social media. Findings - Hypothesis testing is done by using the structural equation model (SEM) method with the help of AMOS software. Novelty - For further research, we can also add and analyze additional factors that affect positively eWOM intention on social media, namely CSR engagement. Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords: Brand trust; online brand community trust; brand attachment; repurchase intention; positive eWOM intention. JEL Classification: M31, M3.

Customer Satisfaction towards Mobile Food Delivery Apps during Covid-19 Pandemic

Objective - The objective of this study is to investigate the determinants of customer satisfaction towards the mobile food delivery apps during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology/Technique - Website quality, service quality, price, and convenience were hypothesised to explain customer satisfaction towards mobile food delivery apps. 200 respondents were recruited using convenience sampling. Due to COVID-19, the data collection was done using Google Form which consisted of respondents' profile and measurements for all the constructs in this study. All the instruments of the variables were adapted from previous studies. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was performed to assess the measurements' validity and test the relationship among the variables. Findings - Convergent validity and discriminant validity which were assessed via measurement model were satisfactory. The R-square value obtained was 0.565. This indicates that, the model explains customer satisfaction by 56.5% towards mobile food delivery apps during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings show that website quality and convenience have significantly influenced customer satisfaction towards mobile food delivery apps. Service quality and price, however, were found insignificant. Website quality has been found as the most important predictor of customer satisfaction. Novelty - This study provided an insight into the customer satisfaction towards the mobile food delivery apps from the new norm of COVID-19 measured perspective. The apps' website quality and the convenience of using the apps were revealed as important factors that impact customer satisfaction significantly during the pandemic period. Type of Paper - Empirical. Keywords: Customer Satisfaction; Mobile Food Delivery Apps; COVID-19; Website Quality; Service Quality; Price; Convenience. JEL Classification: M15